Neighborhood Watch

A Neighborhood Watch, originally developed to prevent crime in neighborhoods, is also a way residents can empower themselves to respond to a disaster and to help prevent terrorist acts on a local level. A neighborhood watch involves members of the community coming together with local officials and law enforcement. Neighborhood Watch can serve not only as a crime reduction strategy through people observing activities occurring in their neighborhood, but it can also serve to restore a sense of "neighborhood." Strategies of neighborhood watch groups vary from simply promoting social interaction and "watching out for each other" to active patrols by groups of citizens.

For a list of steps to create a neighborhood watch program in your area, visit the National Sheriff’s Association Neighborhood Watch website at http://www.usaonwatch.com/

Working together with your neighbors when disaster strikes can save lives and property. After forming a neighborhood watch group, include disaster preparedness as an activity. Discuss how your neighborhood could work together after a disaster until help arrives and develop a disaster preparedness plan for your community. The following are a few key issues your neighborhood watch group may want to consider when preparing for an emergency:

How can your neighborhood tap its resources to help everyone cope? Identify your neighbors' special skills and look at what equipment and shelter is available in your area.

Who in your neighborhood would need special assistance in a disaster? The elderly and disabled may rely on your help. Make plans for children in case neighborhood parents can't get home.

In forming your neighborhood watch group, work with your neighborhood division of Boston Police. They have been trained with specifics regarding your neighborhood and strongly encourage neighborhood participation. To find out how to contact your district station click on the following link: http://www.ci.boston.ma.us/police/district.asp